Issa seeks DNC records of W.H. meet

House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa now has the Democratic National Committee in his sights as he probes what he has called “potentially illegal fundraising activities within the White House.”

The California Republican sent a letter Wednesday to DNC Executive Director Patrick Gaspard demanding all DNC records, including invitation lists and RSVPs, relating to a policy discussion President Barack Obama held with business leaders in the White House’s Blue Room on March 7. The session was organized by the DNC and all the guests were donors to Obama’s 2008 campaign.

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Issa’s letter also seeks records of any other DNC events that took place or were planned in “any room of the White House, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the New Executive Office Building, or any other federal property on or off the White House grounds.” He also wants records regarding the use of the White House for a video Obama made for a raffle his campaign is running that seeks donations in exchange for a chance to win dinner with Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

The White House has denied that DNC-organized events held on White House grounds, including the March Blue Room session and a February reception for DNC members, were fundraisers.

“As we have said in the past, these activities were wholly appropriate and routinely done in past administrations, as evidenced by an abundance of examples spanning the past three decades,” White House spokesman Eric Schultz said. “In fact, experts and lawyers have said publicly that all of what this administration is doing is above board.”

The DNC did not respond to a request for comment on Issa’s query, which is posted here. The political party is under no obligation to respond to Issa’s request unless he chooses to issue a formal subpoena. However, Issa’s letter warns the DNC to preserve all records and emails related to his inquiry.